Lord’s, London – July 14, 2016: On a beautiful sunny morning at Lord's Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat on what Misbah-ul-Haq immediately declared to be a good pitch.
There was an early review for England when debutant Jake Ball caught Shan Masood on the pads. After analysis the ball pitched outside leg stump and England lost their review. With the score on 14-0 Hafeez was dropped by Vince off the bowling of Broad.
Pakistan’s openers began to progress nicely and saw off the opening bowlers. However with the score on 38 Woakes removed Shan Masood caught behind from a lifting ball in his second over.
Pakistan brought fifty up but at 51 Hafeeez was caught by Barstow after trying to hook a short ball from Woakes.
Yours Khan and Azhar Ali then rallied and took the score to 76-2 at lunch after 26 overs. A good competitive morning of cricket.
Almost immediately after lunch Jake Ball trapped Azhar Ali LBW for 7. Azhar reviewed the decision but the DRS gave the review as ‘Umpire’s call’.
Misbah came in and steadied the ship, yet there was another drop when Joe Root spilled Younis Khan from the bowling of Finn.
After a solid 33 and looking in control Younis Khan was caught by Moeen Ali from Stuart Broad’s bowling leaving the total 134-4 and ending a stand of 57 between Younis and Misbah.
By tea Pakistan had progressed to 158-4 in an absorbing contest.
After tea Misbah brought up his fifty from 81 balls.
With the score on 184-4 and just after they had brought up the fifty partnership a terrible mix up between Misbah and Asad Shafiq almost saw Misbah run out but Ballance’s throw missed the stumps.
By 5pm Pakistan had brought the two hundred up and Misbah and Shafiq were playing nicely.
Shortly afterwards a flashing drive from Shafiq flew past Cook’s outstretched hand at slip.
Shafiq then went on to bring up his fifty from 89 balls.
Two fours in succession from Misbah brought up the hundred partnership between Shafiq and Misbah. He went on to hit the two further balls for four too to take sixteen from Moeen’s over.
Asad Shafiq has been involved in eight of Pakistan's last 16 century partnerships.
Misbah went on to complete a magnificent hundred at the home of cricket to ensure that his name will be added to the famous honours board in the away dressing room and he celebrated by performing press ups towards that dressing room. He became the third oldest centurion at Lord’s and the oldest for 82 years.
Shortly before the close Asad Shafiq was out for 73 after being caught behind by Barstow from the bowling of Woakes.
Rahat Ali came in as night watchman and almost saw Pakistan through to the close. He played on to Woakes from the final ball of the day and was out for 0. Woakes had now taken 4-45 and was the pick of the bowlers. At stumps Pakistan were 282-6 with Misbah unbeaten on 110.
An enthralling day’s cricket.
